Chapter Title: I Want You

AN: It's been a while, huh? Thought I'd possibly add to this again. What do y'all think? It's a long one for those who have waited a long time for an update.

Chapter 8

A mug of beer slammed down against the wooden table with a hard thump.

"Give me another one." Shadow demanded the bartender as he drank away his sorrows and frustrations.

"You okay, Shadow?" Questioned a concerned gray hedgehog from across him at the same table.

The questioning hedgehog was Silver, an acquaintance of Shadow's whenever he came out to drink. There was also Vector and Espio who sat on either side of the table. The ebony hedgehog didn't care for them as he took another chug of his new beer as the others watched with concerned faces.

It must have been an issue with the Mrs. they assumed and they couldn't be anymore correct. Shadow had not told another soul about what was going on in his home so all were oblivious to his suffering. A week had already passed and Shadow did not know how manage his feelings since he never imagined how affected this would leave him.

His own wife had been bed by another male

Shadow felt devastated by the occurrence but there was no other way. If he could have it his way, his wife would not have to bear such a situation from occurring but there was no other option. The pair were already past the normal age of child bearing considering that by 18 most had already become parents and, while there were those who had children at later ages, it was mostly due to marrying late.

The situation between him and his wife was one to be looked down upon by the people and the only reason none dared do so was because Shadow was a stern, hardworking, and respectable individual that none dared humiliate but Shadow knew that many had already begun to whisper amongst themselves from behind closed doors and he would not allow his wife to be humiliated.

Furthermore, Amy would not even be able to inherit the farm unless they had a child as the law stated. If they had a daughter, that daughter would have to marry a male but if it was a male he would automatically be the heir. It was an idiotic law but a law that had to be followed nonetheless.

Shadow truly hated how twisted this whole world was.

"Why the sour face, big boy?" A flirtatious voice inquired as a woman slipped her arms around Shadow's neck.

"He hasn't said a word since he got here." Silver said to Rouge with a worried tone.

"Yeah, he's just been drinking booze after booze. Probably got some lady trouble." Vector laughed. "He never comes down here after all."

"You poor soul." Rouge comforted as she petted his head.

"Get off of me," Shadow hissed.

"Oh, he finally said something!" Vector laughed.

Rouge smirked as she sat beside him. The bat was the only one who ever dared mock him and mess with the ebony hedgehog. It had always been this way since they were children so Shadow didn't really get mad at her for it, no, he would simply get annoyed.

"Do you want to talk about it, Shads?" Rouge asked, taking his new beer away despite his glare and chugging it herself. "Want me to guess?"

"Oh! Did Amy finally get pregnant!" Silver excitedly guessed.

Bad mistake. Even Rouge knew that, that was a taboo topic. The gray hedgehog received glares from all at the table, as if telling him to be quiet and he bit his tongue nervously. Luckily for him, all Shadow did was send him a death glare as he was too distracted trying to get his beer back from Rouge who refused, probably not wanting him to keep drinking.

"Stop pressuring the man to have a kid if he and Amy still don't want to." Rouge said nonetheless, finishing the beer off. "Just because you marry young, that doesn't mean you have to have kids."

Silver tilted his head. "I had a baby young though… there's nothing bad about it." He still didn't understand his mistake.

"You say that because that's what you were all taught as kids. Many would marry young because life expectancy was around 40 years old but so many people are living past that now. I don't understand why no one seems to understand that. Marrying young is an outdated tradition." Rouge spoke with vindictiveness. "When people marry so young, they aren't experiencing life as they should and don't even know what they want."

"Speaking from experience, Rouge?" Vector laughed.

It was known, except Silver apparently, that Rouge had not only married at the age of 27 but also at the age of 13. Her first marriage was with a man much older than her, aged 19, and he had swooped her away with his sweet words and gifts but their relationship was not a fairytale as many had assumed. When Rouge was 15, she had revealed that he had been cheating on her and beating her regularly so she demanded a divorce which was granted after she threatened him with an ax.

She was shunned by the town after that for a very long time for defying her husband and her crazy ideas that advocated against marriage under the age of 20. Because of her age and beliefs, no men wanted her and she was sent back to her parents but some years ago she met a passing traveler that swept her away and she married for love and just like that, she was suddenly accepted again by the people after having a partner but she was still adamant about her views.

"I'm just speaking the honest truth." She rolled her eyes, glaring at the crocodile. "Hell, not even Ferals have kids that young!"

"Yeah, and look how that's helped them." A familiar mocking voice chuckled behind her and the pub grew silent as the man in uniform made his presence known. Everyone, especially Shadow, glared at the cocky green hedgehog that held himself as the highest regard. It was none other than Scourge Hedgehog who sat right beside Shadow as if they were the best of pals.

"Those vermin are nothing but parasites, that's why their population is slowly starting to go down. I've had to take care of plenty that have been attacking innocent civilians." Scourge sat with his chest out proudly. After not getting the reaction he wanted from the group, he frowned bitterly but quickly turned his attention to Shadow with a wide mocking grin. "But enough about me, how's it been, family?"

Family? The idea made Shadow scoff considering the history between them. These two were once love rivals. When Amy reached a marriageable age, Scourge attempted to court her only to be rejected by the pink beauty who chose Shadow instead. The occurrence had truly affected Scourge who considered Shadow to be beneath him considering that Shadow's family came from a humble background and nothing to offer. Ever since then, Scourge attempted to compete with Shadow as much as possible and, in the end, Scourge ended up marrying Amy's cousin who had an uncanny resemblance to Amy.

"It must be relationship issues. It's so sad when I see others not having a happy marriage like mine." He laughed, his tone was condescending and everyone was uncomfortable.

Regardless, Shadow ignored him which only made Scourge more irritated. He loved getting reactions after all. Well, Shadow was not going to give him one. He had only come to drink, not converse, it was everyone here who decided to sit with him thinking it was okay.

"Is that why you're always found in the arms of that foxy gal?" Rouge hissed at Scourge, unknowingly giving him a reaction he liked.

"I'm a man." He grinned. "I can do what I want, bat girl. Seems like your man really needs to put you on a leash and teach you about respect."

Rouge opened her mouth to counter him but Silver nervously shook his head at her, nodding to the insignia on Scourge's uniform. That's right, the green bastard had recently become a damn high ranking official. Disrespecting him could even lead to a severe punishment that no one wanted to have. And so, the bat bit her tongue and turned away with a frown.

This seemed to only raise his ego even more as a wicked grin formed on his face and he tried again with Shadow. "I couldn't help but overhear. Still no kid, Shadow?" His tone was almost mocking. "I married my lady a year after you yet I'm already on kid number three. All boys. Crazy how life works, huh?"

Shadow normally had very good self control but he couldn't help his frustration right now with Scourge. The ebony hedgehog assumed it was because of all the alcohol he had drank. After all, Shadow rarely drank, especially this much.

Scourge noticed this and faked a look of concern. "You have to get her when she's most fertile. I used to track Rosy's period just to know when she'd be most ripe to be ready for fucking but Rosy is such an obidient wife. She'd open her legs for me every night so there was never any problem. What about Amy? They have the same blood after all?" Scourge laughed mockingly.

"Do not speak about my woman that way." Shadow finally snapped, sending Scourge the biggest death glare that even Scourge grinned a bit nervously. Too bad he was too much of an idiot to give up.

"Whoa, I'm just trying to help!" Scourge pouted. "After all, it must be getting hard on you with each year and no one to help with the heavy stuff. It's sad really. If things stay this way, that farm of yours just might end up getting inherited by me."

That's right, if no male was heir, the title would be given to the next in line: Amy's cousin, Rosy, more specifically: Scourge. The very idea made Shadow's blood boil as he looked Scourge right in the eye saying, "over my dead body." And with that he stood and threw some cash on the table for the beer and walked away, leaving them all surprised that he actually spoke back with so much hate but Shadow didn't care.

The farm belonged to Amy, not Scourge.

There was no way Shadow would allow him to take it.

.•*• •*•.

Green eyes sparkled at the blue rose that was in their hand.

Sonic had just returned from the forest and had The finally found what he had been looking for, for the last few days. This unique flower was to be his peace treaty with the pink hedgehog who had been avoiding him ever since the day they had sex together. Whenever they would cross paths, Amy would quickly look away and excuse herself and it didn't help that Shadow had put him to work nonstop so he had fewer chances to speak to her.

However, today Shadow had allowed him to take a break as he went to town that morning. In the meantime, Sonic had spent the whole day tracking down this blue rose. He was glad he didn't need to go out at night anymore to attempt to find it.

He wondered what Amy would think about it. The thought of her warmed his heart but Sonic assumed it was because she was a kind person but when he reached the farm, Sonic subconsciously blushed as he watched the pink hedgehog standing near the water well. It appeared that Amy was filling a bucket of water and getting ready to carry it inside. Her quills were up in a big like always and she wore a simple brown dress that resembled all the others she owned but regardless she looked beautiful. It had almost seemed that she had suddenly become even more beautiful with each passing day.

This was a rare opportunity and Sonic took it. "Miss Amy!" Sonic called out to her as he set the rose in his pocket and ran over to her. This seemed to catch Amy off as her eyes darted to him nervously as she took a step back with the heavy bucket. "Let me help you!" Sonic offered, placing his hands on the sides of the bucket.

As they both looked up at each other during the exchange, Amy was not blind to the accidental warm brush of his fingers on hers. It was as if something almost tangible surrounded them and both stood still for a moment. With a deep breath, Amy was the first to look away, breaking the spell.

"Thank you." She brushed a quill behind her ear as she turned and led him to the home to set the bucket down.

Sonic watched her reaction with a sad smile but he followed her regardless, making sure to take an extra foot of distance between them. "Does my presence make you uncomfortable, Miss Amy?" He asked her as they made it inside the home. "I am grateful that I was allowed to stay here but I do not want to burden you."

"You don't!" Amy suddenly said, turning to face him so suddenly that they ended up closer than she thought. She quickly jumped away and Sonic set the bucket of water onto the kitchen table. "I just…" she muttered but didn't actually say anything. Sonic took this moment to take the blue rose out of his pocket and he presented it to Amy with a hopeful smile who looked taken aback. "What's this?" She wondered.

"A gift for Miss Amy."

"Did you paint this?" Amy wondered in awe.

"No, these are natural and very rare." Sonic explained as he gently put it behind her ear with a smile. "I've been it tracking down."

"Why…?" Amy blushed, touching the rose.

"As an apology." Sonic admitted as he admired how beautiful she looked with the rose decorating her quills.

Confusion filled her eyes. "An apology for what?"

"For upsetting you."

"I told you, I'm not upset." Amy looked away again, feeling shy when he looked at her so sweetly.

Sonic's ears flattened. "You were much closer to me before and it hurts not being able to be like before. I feel as if I've done something horribly wrong to you, Miss Amy. What can I do to make you feel at ease with me again?"

Amy faced him now and really looked at him.

He looked like a wounded animal and a sense of guilt filled Amy. She had not realized that she had made Sonic feel so upset but it really surprised her how he seemed so concerned about her. Sonic was truly a kind soul and that melted her heart.

Amy's expression softened. "You've done nothing wrong." She met his kind eyes with warm eyes of her own. "I'm just embarrassed…" Amy admitted with tinted cheeks.

"Embarrassed about what?" Sonic asked, genuinely concerned. "Because I'm feral?"

"Not that you're a feral…" Amy felt like a pervert because Sonic seemed so innocent and then here she was, flustered about what had happened between them. It's not like there was any love involved. She should be more mature about this. "I'm embarrassed that you had to see an unsightly side of me."

"Unsightly?" Sonic's ears flickered as he heard the words. "But you are so beautiful!" He said with a confused tilted head. "I felt very honored you accepted me."

Amy's cheeks erupted red and she chuckled nervously. "T-t-thank you but what I mean is that… that I made a vow to only ever sleep with my husband and I feel…" Amy couldn't find the words. In fact, she wasn't sure that the words existed because she wasn't sure how she even felt. A part of her felt disgusted with herself for sleeping with another man but a tiny part of her that she had been trying to bury away in her mind felt something else… and she hated herself for it.

"I thought I was able to give you what you wanted," his eyes looked regretful and full of sorrow. "Was my understanding wrong?"

Amy shook her head. "Shadow really wanted…"

"Not Shadow." Sonic leaned his head down to look her in the eyes with a concerned expression. "What is it that you want, Miss Amy." He asked her.

The question was simple but it was one that no one had ever asked her before so Amy felt caught off guard. "I…" she took a step back, feeling shy with their proximity.

This only seemed to make Sonic feel even more pitiful as his ears flattened again. He really was just too innocent. Amy didn't want to hurt Sonic but she also didn't feel like their relationship could return to what it was before. Not after what they had done. After all, whenever Amy saw him, memories of that night flooded her mind no matter how much she tried to shake the thoughts away and it tore her heart apart but this was not Sonic's fault.

The idea of having slept with another man really did not settle well with her especially since it seemed to have been for nothing since she had gotten her period days after they had sex. She had yet to even tell her husband. In fact, she felt rather shameful with all this and a part of her wanted to cry.

"Miss Amy…?" Sonic asked again with worried eyes. "Did I hurt you that night?"

Amy frantically shook her head. "You…" she bit her lip. "You were very gentle with me that night and…" she saw relief fill his eyes. "And… it was not unpleasant…" Amy admitted, looking up at him with pink cheeks and innocent eyes. "You made me feel very at ease."

At that moment, Sonic gulped at the sight and the atmosphere seemed to have shifted, at least from Sonic's side. He had an overwhelming desire to hold her in his arms like he did that night. He didn't understand his body's reaction as he felt himself crave for her touch.

He wanted to know. "Miss Amy, did you enjoy—?" Sonic was cut off by the sound of the front door slamming closed.

Shadow seemed to have returned.

"Honey?" Amy called out to him.

Shadow stumbled into the house and the smell of alcohol filled the room. "Are you drunk?" Amy asked him as he grabbed a hold of the wall for balance.

"Be careful!" Amy assisted him as she wrapped her arms under his. "Let's lay you down."

Normally, Sonic would offer to help but he felt something dark stir inside of him that prevented him from getting any closer. His eyes darkened as his eyes focused on Shadow's arm around Amy's shoulder and he had an overwhelming feeling of yanking Shadow's touch away from her. Then he would teach him the consequences of —!

"I'm going to take him to our room." Amy told Sonic, breaking him from his thoughts. The cobalt's eyes shook as he came back to his senses, holding his head almost painfully with an understanding nod. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sonic."

All he could do was nod dumbfoundedly. It was only then that he realized that he had been gripping his hands so tightly that he had ended up digging his nails into his skin and blood was on his palms. His body shook as he watched the pair disappear deeper into the house.

Don't let her go with him, the voice inside his head growled. He is not worthy.

Sonic shook his head in an attempt to silence the voice as he watched the pair disappear into the house with so much despair that he felt his head spin. Something was wrong with him. He ran to the barnyard before the voice ordered him to do any harm and he hit himself on the head repeatedly.

"Shut up!" He said to himself. "She is not mine," Sonic muttered cautiously to the voice in his mind, not liking how aggressively he was reacting to Shadow. "She is Shadow's woman." At hearing those words the voice growled at him, clearly displeased with such an idea.

How could he dare consider betraying the man who gave him sanctuary.

.•*• •*•.

Once inside their bedroom, Amy sat Shadow on the side of their bed and frowned seeing him so out of it. "Why are you like this?" She frowned. "You've worked nonstop the last few days only to disappear and then come back like this?"

"I drank a bit too much." Was the only thing he said.

Amy wanted to yell at him for drinking so much to release her frustrations. She was still upset with him and, similar to Sonic, Amy had only spoken to her husband a handful of times despite sharing a room since that night but she did not like being mad with him for this long.

She knew they couldn't continue on this way.

"Shadow…" Amy began. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what to do…." Shadow muttered. "I just want us to have a family."

He looked so uncharacteristic with his quills ruffled and the dejected expression on his face. It was a sight completely new to her and she hated seeing him this way.

What is it that you want, Miss Amy? Sonic's words clouded her mind.

What she wanted…? He was all she wanted. She caressed her husband carefully despite how utterly frustrated she felt with him. She wanted him to understand that she only needed him. Sure. She had always dreamed of being a mother but she was willing to sacrifice that dream even if it meant she could stay with Shadow for the rest of her life.

Amy kissed his forehead tenderly. "All I want is my husband."

Shadow looked up at Amy sadly.

"I love you, Shadow." She told him, never looking away. "You are my happiness. I don't need anything else but you to be happy."

Shadow shut his eyes tightly as if savoring her words and he hugged her tightly. It was almost as if her touch reassured him somehow. Amy stole a kiss and Shadow looked at her with yearning so she kissed him again sweetly. This is what felt right. This was the only man she needed. A part of her wondering if sleeping with her husband would erase this uneasiness within her? Could she be able to forget that night she had with Sonic? Amy hoped so. She wanted no traces left behind of the blue hedgehog.

She pushed him back onto the bed so that she could jump on top of him. Amy straddled her husband and held him down and pulled her dress over her head.

"Just a minute," Shadow wanted to protest but Amy stopped him.

"Please, my love." Amy said ever so tenderly. He looked at her naked body stretching above him. She looked so beautiful and captivating that Shadow could hardly believe she was his wife.

Without waiting for him to change his mind she placed his head between her hands and gently drew him towards her. Their kiss was simple but the passion was still there and Amy's hands were clutching at his clothes, peeling each layer off her husband's lovely body.

They pulled away and stared into each other's eyes. Desire lit her beautiful green eyes.

"Touch me." She told him, grabbing his hand and placing it onto her chest. His eyes were lustful as he groped her breasts in his hands, admiring the beauty of them as the pleasure in Amy's expression excited him like never before. She had never been this forward but Amy didn't care. She wanted to see Shadow react in ecstasy that she did not realize was possible to be felt during sex.

"Rose, wait…" Shadow groaned as his wife began to grind against him.

Amy continued to kiss him and her pussy began to get wet at the thought of having her husband. She wanted to feel pleasure with her husband, not anyone else. Would it feel more intense with him than it did with Sonic…? The thought excited her even more.

"Damnit!" Shadow suddenly hissed, pulling her away. "I said wait!"

Amy's eyes snapped open in horror. "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" She jumped off of his lap and observed him with a worried look.

How could she be so hasty? She knew Shadow had testicular pain whenever he got an erection or over exerted himself here and there. She mentally slapped herself for not being more careful. Amy quickly put on her dress again and attempted to touch him. At the sight, Shadow grit his teeth in embarrassment.

Shame filled him. "Are they aching again? Should I get something to—?" She asked.

"Just stop." Shadow snapped.

Shadow felt utterly pathetic as he sat holding his testicles in pain in front of his worried wife. He just had to ruin the mood. Why now? Why did they have to hurt now? One would think that with all the alcohol in his system that he would feel the pain less but that wasn't the case. Pathetic. Here he had his beautiful wife throwing herself at him and he couldn't even please her.

This was all his fault.

If only he was man enough to be able to give her a child then none of this would have happened. Was he even worthy enough for someone as amazing as Amy Rose? She deserved better than this, than dealing with all this mess. She deserved to live a normal life. With a family and no concerns of stability but Shadow could not even reassure her that even after he had vowed to protect her when they married.

Damnit. Why did he have to be infertile?

A child could solve all this. If Amy were to just have a child as soon as possible then this could all be resolved. Yes. He had to remember why he was doing all this. Amy had to get pregnant and they had Sonic to help with that. No one would ever dare look down on Amy after she gave birth.

In an attempt to bring in strength, Shadow held in the pain of his body as he attempted to stand despite the pain between his legs and he took a pen and notebook from his drawer. "When was your last period?" He questioned his wife.

"Amy." He called her by her first name which he never did unless he was completely serious or upset.

"Four days ago…" Amy said, shamefully looking down. Would Shadow be disappointed in her?

"Has Sonic made you uncomfortable?" He asked.

"…no." Her brows furrowed questionably. "Why?"

"You two will try again until you get pregnant."

"Again?"

"It's been a little over a week since you first did it and nothing. We need to get you guys when you're most fertile. That's the best timing and when we can see results." Shadow repeated the words Scourge had told him. "We will track your period and make sure to tell me if you get it again as well as the discharge color."

The pink hedgehog was at a loss of words. How could he ask her to sleep with another man again? No. How did he not care about her sleeping with another man? Did it not bother him the same way it bothered it? Did Shadow not find their intimacy sacred?

Amy felt like she was being bred.

Amy laughed bitterly. "What if I don't want to have his child?"

"Don't be stupid. What's your worth if you do not have an heir?" He suddenly snapped in his frustration.

A hard slap sounded in the room.

Amy stood with her hand still in the air and Shadow watched her with a shocked expression as he touched his red cheek. Tears were rolling down her cheek and it broke Shadow's heart seeing her this way. The alcohol had already subsided and Shadow realized how much of an idiot he was. How could he say those words to his wife?

"Don't follow me." Amy said meekly, shocked herself that she had hit her husband and with that she ran out of their room.

"Damn It!" Shadow hissed after his shock subsided. "Wait. That's not what I meant!" He cursed himself. He could never express himself correctly. "Fucking damn it!" He fell onto his knees in an attempt to follow her when the overwhelming pain between his legs only worsened.

All he knew how to do was hurt his wife.

"You're such a fool…" he told himself.

I already have the next chapter partially written but wether it gets published ultimately depends on reviews. I like knowing that people are actually enjoying reading my story, hearing your opinions, predictions, and also the feedback!

Ex: I will no longer censor anything!